The Mission of Biola is Stated as Follows

The mission of Biola University is biblically centered education, scholarship, and service—equipping men and women in mind and character to impact the world for the Lord Jesus Christ.

This mission involves being a Christian university, providing education at the baccalaureate levels in biblical studies and theology, in the liberal arts and sciences, and in selected applied and professional fields. It is to be Christian in the sense that the biblical Christian worldview serves as the all-encompassing framework and integrating basis for the entire content and conduct of the institution. It is to be a university in the full traditional meaning of the term, with knowledge and understanding being generated and disseminated, with students and faculty continually developing to high levels their cognitive and affective potential, and with society being served beneficially thereby. In combining the two terms, christian and university, considerable emphasis is placed upon the scholarly integration of biblical faith with all of the fields of learning, and also upon the practical interrelationships and interdependencies of faith, learning, and living as they are developed throughout the curriculum, co-curriculum, and the life-style.

The mission of the university includes producing graduates who are (a) competent in their fields of study, (b) knowledgeable in biblical studies, and (c) earnest Christians equipped to serve the Christian community and society at large. An expanded version of this statement is printed in the catalog, for the institution as a whole and also for some of the specific programs.

There are two additional “products” of the university, both of which are to be viewed as outgrowths of the task of producing graduates of its baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate programs and not as separate from it. One consists of the scholarly contributions to knowledge and understanding, which are generated by students and faculty in the disciplines and in integration with the biblical Christian worldview. The other consists of public services, as students, faculty, and staff make their professional and personal expertise available to the Christian community and to society at large throughout the world.

This mission of Biola University of equipping Christians in mind and character to impact the world for the Lord Jesus Christ is done primarily through the ongoing lives of its graduates but also through the in-service work of its present students, faculty, and staff.

The Mission Statement is intentionally related to and an outgrowth of the historical Biola University Doctrinal Statement. Our planning, fiscal policies, and commitment to academic excellence are all directed toward the ongoing performance of the mission we have successfully pursued since 1908.

The Role of the Biola Community is One of S.E.R.V.I.C.E.

Students

Our objective is to enableevery student to learn Christ-like character and intellectual, technical, and relational skills to serve as leaders, role models, and competent professionals.

Education

Our business is to inspire students’ learning so that they are empowered to think and practice from a Christian worldview in their fields of service.

Research

Our faculty, students, and graduates seek to grapple with the intellectual, ethical, and cultural issues of our time by partnering in discerning Christ-centered scholarship through learning, rigorous research, publications, and performance.

Values

At the heart of our mission is love and respect for all persons, integrity and diligence in our words and deeds, and awe and reverence for God’s work. We seek His inspiration for creativity and excellence in the fulfillment of our mission. Our vision is to be a distinctive Christian university of service to the global community of faith.

Impact

We desire that our graduates demonstrate Christ-like character, competence, and commitment through servant leadership in their churches, communities, and professions. Being equipped for critical thinking and dialogue in respect to faith, our desire is that graduates respond with love to make a difference in society, government, the marketplace, and higher education.

Character Building Community

We aspire to mentor and serve our students in a manner that nurtures strength of character and Christian community.

Evangelism

Biola stands as a beacon of faith, to equip men and women for Christ-centered public service and the ministry of “making disciples” at home and around the world.